Features:
- Includes AutoStar controller and deluxe field tripod
- UHTC coatings are on all optical surfaces for enhanced detail
- Electronic controller for slew speeds and built-in clock drive
- Maksutov meniscus corrector lens of Grade-A BK7 optical glass
- Includes a Meade Series 4000 Super Plvssl 26 millimeter eyepiece for 48 times magnification
Description:
The latest model in Meade's popular ETX line, the ETX105EC with premium Ultra High Transmission optical coatings (UHTC), is one sweet portable package. The included Autostar controller delivers excellent tracking and pointing. The #884 Tripod combined with the aluminum frame and ball-bearing chassis delivers vibration-free viewing. And the optics are simply the best I've ever seen in a small Maksutov-Cassegrain or Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Although Meade recommends the UHTC coatings package for improved brightness, I find the improved contrast is much more impressive. I compared the ETX105EC, at 4.13 inches of aperture, side by side with my 5 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain. The view of Saturn at 200X magnification in both telescopes was nearly identical. The Cassini division in Saturn's rings was obvious, and I could see 5 moons around Saturn with both scopes. The inner moons Tethys and Dione were easier to spot with the larger SCT. The ETX105EC with UHTC, however, was the clear winner on contrast and color. The UHTC coatings simply eliminated much of the scattered light that robs contrast from the views in my SCT. Saturn's equatorial belt was the same apricot color in the 4 inch ETX that I see in much larger scopes. When I looked at Jupiter with the ETX105EC, the pale orange-tan color of the famous Great Red Spot was plainly visible. The Autostar controller delivers excellent pointing accuracy. My usual set-up starts with centering Polaris in the scope, then leveling the optical tube. This automatically sets the telescope's "home position" within one degree of true North and level. After a careful setup the other night, the "easy align" routine put the first alignment star, Rigel, inside the field of view. And the second star, Procyon, was just outside the edge of the field. Easy as can be. (Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson will introduce you to these brighter stars by name.) Even without precise alignment to North, the alignment stars were close enough that I had no trouble with the setup. Autostar's guided tour of "tonight's best" still placed every object but Saturn in the low power field of view, and Saturn was just outside the field. The model 884 tripod included in the ETX105EC package is well matched to the telescope. I saw very little vibration while using the straight up Alt/AZ position. I find the telescope tracks very smoothly in the equatorial position as well, although putting the full weight of the telescope over one tripod leg doesn't inspire confidence. The only flaw in the whole ETX105EC package is the right angle finder scope. The finder works well enough - in fact I like the image orientation that matches the main scope - but it's so close to the eyepiece that my nose gets in the way when I try to use smaller eyepieces. I was able to use my favorite Ultima 7.5mm eyepiece for 200X magnification only by replacing the right angle finder with the smaller straight thru finder from my ETX90. You can also live with the finder by using a barlow lens or a taller eyepiece such as the Orion 10.5mm Lanthanum (about 140X) for high magnification views of the planets. --Jeff Phillips Pros: - Superb optics
- Small and portable
- Autostar controller finds and describes things for you
Cons: - The finder is too close to the eyepiece
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